Rifle High School will soon be buzzing with activity as it hosts the Encourage-Nurture-Challenge Field Day 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. May 16. The event, organized and put on by Colorado River Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES), is designed for children with intellectual disabilities, and has grown significantly since its inception nearly a decade ago.

“The event was started about nine years ago and it has grown so much since,” Colorado River BOCES Special Projects Coordinator Kristy Slife said. “It originally only started with Garfield Re-2 and there were only about 30 kids participating. Now we have students from six districts coming to participate.”

What started in 2015 and saw 30 kids from the Garfield Re-2 school district participate, now draws 180 to 190 participants from across the region, including children from Aspen along the Interstate 70 corridor to Parachute, and from Rangley and Meeker. These students typically participate in Special Olympics, but due to the lack of local track and field events, the Encourage-Nurture-Challenge Field Day fills an important gap.

“This is officially our seventh year holding this event because of COVID-19, and we can’t wait for these kids to be able to get outside and get active throughout the day,” Slife said. 

Participation is facilitated through the school systems, and students are registered for events by their special education teachers using a Google form. The events mimic those found in traditional athletics, including mini javelin throws, softball and tennis ball throws, long jumps, and various running and wheelchair-assisted events.

“We use mini javelins, which are the same height, the same javelins they use in the Special Olympics,” Slife said. “Long jumps, mini hurdles, softball throws. There are a bunch of activities that these kids will have the opportunity to participate in.”

Each participating child receives a t-shirt, which each school customizes to their liking. The atmosphere resembles a traditional track meet, with each school setting up a tent as a home base for their students.

“Most of the schools like to tye-dye their t-shirts,” Slife said. “They try to make it their own and they write on and stuff. So we just do white and then they as a school make it their own.”

The event not only provides physical activities but also addresses the sensory needs and support requirements for children with a range of intellectual and developmental challenges, including autism. Nearly as many adults attend to assist as there are participating children, projecting attendance this year to be between 450 and 500.

“We have kids that have sensory issues,” Slife said. “Most of these kids have intellectual disabilities, so we try to provide as much support as we can for all of the students.”

The enthusiasm for the event is palpable, with many children eagerly anticipating the next opportunity to compete.

“As soon as we’re done with the field day in May, by the time August hits, these kids won’t stop talking about getting back out there,” Slife said.

This continual engagement has led to the planning of other activities, such as a Special Olympics bowling event in October, which also involves local schools.

Each year, the event sees greater participation and excitement, reflecting its growing impact on the community and the students it serves.

“I think that as a community, we are excited about this event,” Slife said. “We are excited and I think that it shows every year as it continues to grow and more students are participating and more staff are participating with it, how much it means to the community.”